Mary Jo (McGuigan) Barton, the North Star of the extended Barton and McGuigan families, died May 23rd, 2025 after a brief and valiant battle with an unusually aggressive form of lung cancer.

Born August 30, 1949 to John A. and Edna (Evans) McGuigan at Ball Memorial Hospital, Mary Jo graduated early from Muncie Southside High School in 1967. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Dannie Barton. They would have celebrated 58-years of marriage on June 2nd.

By the mid ‘70s, Mary Jo was politically active in Delaware County democratic politics under the mentorship of her husband’s aunt and Precinct 14 Committeewoman Katherine Gibson. She worked Precinct 14 polls each Election Day and frequently walked precincts to register voters, whether they were Democrats or Republicans. Mary Jo’s philosophy was that she didn’t care under which party voters registered, the important thing was that they exercised their right to vote. This was a belief she held until the day she passed away. Following Gibson’s death in 1984, Barton was elected Precinct 14 Committeewoman, a position she held until her death.

Mary Jo’s years as precinct committeewoman served as a catalyst for her fierce advocacy for the South side of Muncie. During this time, she served as President of the Thomas Park/Avondale Neighborhood Association and was on the Mayor’s Council of Women under former mayor Jim Carey. Over the years, Mary Jo served as a committee member and as a chairperson for several local democratic candidates’ campaigns, which eventually led her to run for Muncie City Council (District 3) in 1995. Despite competition from Democrats, Republicans, and Republicans who ran as Democrats, Mary Jo won five city council elections in a row and also served as council president. Mary Jo never lost a single election in over forty-years despite the fact that she often faced cutthroat competition, even for the job of precinct committeeperson.

Without a doubt, however, the most important aspect of Mary Jo’s life was her family. She wore many hats, but the roles that brought the most joy to her heart were those of Mother, Nana, and “GiGi” (Great Grandmother). She proved over and over that there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was an example of moral integrity, hard work, perseverance, honesty, compassion, and altruism to them all of their lives.

As one of nine children, Mary Jo treasured each and every one of her eight siblings. She exemplified what it means to be a sister, and to their children she was the much beloved “Aunt Jo,” who cooked unbelievably delicious food for family gatherings and made the best peanut butter and chocolate fudge for them at Christmastime.

Mary Jo was a deputy auditor in the Delaware County Auditor’s Office for many years. She was a member of the EDIT Board, the Delaware County Women’s Democrat, and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary in Selma.

In addition to getting great joy out of helping others, she also loved fishing, camping, gardening (she had a spectacular green thumb), shopping, and preparing food for those she loved.

Surviving Mary Jo in addition to her husband, Dannie, are her three children, Carla (Jeff) Goss, Tracy (Kim) Barton, all of Selma, and Misty Barton of Muncie; her grandchildren Lacy (Tim) Garza, Malary (Clayton) Harry (Carrboro, NC), Meagan Barton, Mason Barton, Tyson (Kyra) Campbell, Jozie Campbell, and Zoeigh Campbell; her great-grandchildren Vega and Enzo Garza, Devlin Harry, and Alize Campbell; siblings Barb (Floyd) West, Babe (Mick) Plumley of Hurricane, West Virginia, Peggy (Larry) Ward of Dallas, Texas, Marshall (“Duke”) McGuigan, and Scott McGuigan. She is also survived by a special nephew who was like her son, Shea (Tammy) Barton, and numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Mary Jo was predeceased by her parents, John A. and Edna McGuigan, her mother and father-in-law Bob and Jess Barton, and special aunt and uncle Delbert and Katherine Gibson; son-in-law Mark Raef; siblings Betty (“Sis”) Sloan (Tom), John T. (“Speedy”) McGuigan, and Arthur McGuigan.

Visitation will be from 12-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 10th, at Parson Mortuary and Cremation Center in Muncie with a funeral service conducted by Pastor Bruce Reynolds to follow at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to a local pet charity of your choice. Friends and family are encouraged to dress casually for the service, as Mary Jo would want everyone to be comfortable.